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Research Article: Laser and radiofrequency for treating genitourinary syndrome of menopause in breast cancer survivors: a systematic review and meta-analysis protocol

Date Published: 2023-11-10

Abstract:
Introduction Breast cancer survivors (BCSs) experience more severe symptoms of genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) than healthy postmenopausal women. As hormonal therapy with oestrogen should be avoided in BCSs, finding an effective and safe therapy to address vaginal symptoms and sexual dysfunction is urgently needed. Physical methods may be promising alternatives for the specificities of this group of women. This review aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of physical methods (laser and radiofrequency) for treating GSM in BCSs. Methods and analysis The PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, SciELO, LILACS, Scopus, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and ClinicalTrials.gov databases will be searched. A search strategy was developed to retrieve clinical trials that evaluate the efficacy and safety of any physical method (laser or radiofrequency) used for GSM in BCSs. No date or language restrictions will be imposed. Two authors will independently select studies by title, abstract and full text to meet the inclusion criteria. Data will be extracted, and the risk of bias will be evaluated using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool (RoB 2). Review Manager 5.4.1 will be used for data synthesis. The Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation will be used to assess the strength of the evidence. Ethics and dissemination This study reviews the published data; thus, obtaining ethical approval is unnecessary. The findings of this systematic review will be published in a peer-reviewed journal. PROSPERO registration number CRD42023387680.

Introduction:
Description of the condition Women’s life expectation is increasing, and most will experience symptoms of genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM). 1 One of the most distressing symptoms reported by women is vulvovaginal atrophy (VVA); up to 70% of breast cancer survivors (BCSs) experience at least one genitourinary symptom due to physiological changes in menopause or adverse effects of oncological treatments (chemotherapy, tamoxifen, aromatase inhibitors and ovarian suppression), 2 3 used to worsen the basal…

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